Midlands championships in hanchurch a nice local event for me near stoke just up motorway, me and josh arrived early so I could get a lap in and look at the lines.I have a fear of crashing at all the races due to the new Cannondale Flash ultimate price tag, so when the gun went I was off like a shot from the front line leaving all standing as we went down the hill with a right corner only Aid stayed with me then passed near top of the climb we both had got a good lead, I stayed behind him all the way round in second but lloyd cought me on the last lap but could not pass for half the lap, till just before the drop and tried to climb in big ring as I had earlier in laps n lloyd passed me and I gave chase in the last few meters to finish 20sec down in third , we live n learn ,

Leaving the relaxed atmosphere at the start the event was a go , I sprinted to the front before we left the town and led the whole ride through the start and half way up the first hill and sat back behind Ben Price we ploughed on up, with nick craig leading the way, the ride had some challenging slate decents, and I just loved the big climbs where no one touched me as I climbed Past Event winner Matt Page, next time I'll bring swim trunks after a section that went over my wheel , but it was great last 3k Nick Craig passed me due to a puncher earlier , my schwable Rocket Ron & Racing Ralph 2.25 29ers on my Flash Ultimate saw me through, last 1k rocky decent n the finish, 2hr 48 11th n 2nd vet behind Nick Craig 2.46 by 2min my friend matt page 2hr 34min . Another 6k team ride back with front riders, apparently there was a bar n feed stations but I did not manage to stop,, A great event to add to the callender to do in 2013.

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The event, now in its eleventh year is a simple big loop, starting in Machynlleth town centre, which heads out of town on back lanes for a tour of the Dyfi forests best hidden trails. It has long unrelenting fire road climbs, and long rough technical descents, it finishes deep in the forest, riders then spin back into town on lanes to event HQ for (hopefully) a prize and a coveted finisher’s mug. Total distance will be around 70km, subject to final route tweaking in the weeks before the event.It’s a non-competitive ride, as in we don’t award for first place, but whether you want to try work over Nick Craig (I was 2min off) (who says it’s his best event of the season) or just want to get back before the bar runs dry we guarantee you’ll have a good day, though you will have to suffer for it.The first 250 riders through will take a slightly longer, slightly more arduous route, to even out the finish times a little. We will again be separating times and routes, so you will be able to see which route you did, and how long it took. Sorry, its only open for the first 250 riders because if everyone did it we would be on course all night.We have a feed station at around 35km, which will have flapjack, bananas, sausage rolls, energy drink and water.The event will again be hosted by Café Seren, who will have great food & drink, live music, DJ’s a cinema showing bike films (& children’s stuff during the event). There may also be some comedy acts (tbc). Machynlleth comedy festival is happening the same week end.Your entry fee includes free camping in the field at event HQ (showers £1 at the leisure centre 500m away). It’s a relaxed atmosphere, so feel free to bring the family, there’s plenty to do in and around Machynlleth. We are aiming to be ready to take entries open on Sunday Feb 26th at 6.00pm. The whole event sold out in about 2 hours in 2011, so don't be tardy. There will be 750 places available. Once you have entered you will recieve a confirmation email, followed by an email advising you of your rider number(s). Most of the event news and updates will be via the event FB page, though all riders will receive a final email in the 2 weeks before the event. Any other questions you may have should be covered in the event FAQ’s.Dyfi Enduro Event FAQs (PDF)